"The operations, conducted by us in cooperation with the navy, the police and the sea security agency against foreign illegal fishing ships, have boosted growth by 8.6 to 8.9 percent," she said at a meeting between President Joko Widodo and recipients of "Adibakti Mina Bahari" 2015 awards at the State Palace here on Friday.
She said the fishermens catch had increased.
"The exchange rate of fishermen has increased from 104 in 2014 to 106 this year. Supplies at local markets have increased by almost 240 percent. Fish farming had dropped in the past two quarters due to El Nino weather phenomenon but coastal fish farming is up," she said.
She said the government would continue to support and encourage people who work in the maritime sector although they are far away from Jakarta.
"We have now become the axis of supply. Thailand suffered a deficit in the past two to three quarters and so have the Philippines and Vietnam," she said.
On the occasion, President Joko Widodo used the opportunity to hold a dialogue with two award recipients from Belitung and East Java.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
